DC Electric arc furnace melt connection

Abstract

A DC electric arc furnace melt connection of the type formed by a metal connector with an inner end melted by the melt and an outer end kept solid by cooling, extends from the furnace hearth at a declination straight and free from curvature and with a uniform and constant cross-sectional area from end to end having a rectangular oblong cross sectional shape with the long sides extending in a horizontal direction. The purpose is to reduce the flow currents normally formed by gas bubbles and electrodynamic effects within the melted portion of the connector and which cause the melted part to wipe over the unmelted part of the connector with the undesirable result of promoting heat exchange between the two parts.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electric arc furnace comprising a hearth having an inside and outside for containing a melt on its inside, an electrode positioned to form an arc between the electrode and a melt in the hearth when the electrode and melt have connections with an electric power source, an electric melt connection comprising at least one elongated metal connector having inner and outer ends and a refractory enclosure exposing the inner end for contact with and melting by a melt in said hearth, and cooling means for cooling the connector at least between its inner and outer ends for removing heat therefrom at a rate preventing the connector from melting throughout its length to its outer end, said refractory enclosure forming a duct containing said connector and the duct and connector extending at a declination straight and free from curvature from the hearth's said inside at least to the part of the connector prevented from melting by said cooling means. 
     
     
       2. The furnace of claim 1 in which said declination is within the range of from about 30° to about 80° with respect to a vertical direction. 
     
     
       3. The furnace of claim 1 in which said connector has a uniform and constant cross-sectional area throughout its length between its inner and outer ends. 
     
     
       4. The furnace of claim 1 in which said connector has a rectangular oblong cross-sectional shape having long and short sides with the long sides extending in a horizontal direction and the short sides extending in a vertical direction.